What impact do government layoffs have on institutional knowledge and agency operations?

Government layoffs, particularly of probationary employees, result in significant loss of institutional knowledge about how government has functioned in the past and could operate in the future. Many affected employees may have decades of federal service but recently switched roles or agencies, placing them in vulnerable probationary status despite their extensive experience. These layoffs will severely impact agencies' day-to-day operations and create disincentives for future federal employment. The elimination of positions under the Biden administration threatens continuity in government operations, as these employees often carry critical operational expertise that ensures agencies function effectively despite their temporary probationary status in new roles.